Was having this discussion with some friends who put girls through the Mason Co. athletics dept. and thought I would put it on here. Before we get started let me state this is not being considered or is it going to take place, (as far as I know) and is just being put out here for thoughts and what if's. Here goes, what if Mason Co. had been moved to the 40th District, about 4 to 5 years ago. Would the region be more balanced, would the 39th be more balanced, would some changes have occured at Mason Co. to make it more competitive with Clark and Montgomery Cos. in girls athletics? The reason we are using the girls side is because the discussion centered around our daughters as we had no sons to deal with and boys athletics. The only changes as far as re-districting was Deming to the 39th along with St. Patrick, Augusta, and Bracken Co. The 40th District would have Clark, Montgomery, Mason and Nicholas Co. The 37th would be Boubon, Paris, Harrison and Pendleton, and the No. KY schools would make up the 38th District. From everyone I've talked to, the 39th without Mason Co. would be better balanced and more even. Well, let the games begin!:confused::fight::argue::sssh::flame:

Geographically it doesn't make sense and you leave Nicholas Co. out to dry. Nicholas and Paris are in a tough situation since geographically they are surrounded by much bigger schools. Three quarters of the All "A" teams are from the north part of the 10th, so I'm not sure there is a logical way to balance the districts. It is an interesting discussion though.

Actually this part of the discussion was talked about and geographics wasn't as high a priority as evening out the districts, however there is only one other alternative debated, Mason, Montgomery, Clark, and Harrison in the 40th and Nicholas, Paris, Bourbon and Pendleton in the 37th. The reason geography is sacrifised is because these teams all travel to each others gyms on a regular basis and the maximum drive one way is 45 min. to 1 hr. depending on routes taken and driving habits.

I agree that to us geography isn't much of an issue since most teams play each other anyway. If you were going to split it up, then I would say put two All "A" schools in each district and then try to even it up without overloading any one disrict. I know every district has its ups and downs, but some are harder on a yearly basis overall. The 40th is brutal as it stands, but the above mentioned idea with Mason, Montgomery, Clark and Harrison would be worse.

 

This is where I wish the KHSAA would do away with district tournaments and implent a larger regional competition with district seeding so tougher districts don't always beat each other up until later in the tournament.

I have never been a fan of seeding, love blind draws because sometimes an underdog may make it to the regional tournament. I would like to see the KHSAA either make all districts seed or blind draw. Make it one way across the board, this evens the playing field somewhat, one rule or method for everyone. The original point of this thread was to see if Mason Co. was or had been moved that the competion from Clark and Montgomery would have made the administration more aware of defisencies in their girls athletic teams and would have forced them to make changes sooner than later or not at all. Competeing against these schools and their facilities might have caused pressure to become proactive toward needed coaching changes, off-season conditioning, scheduling at the middle school level, adding sports(volleyball-girls, wrestling-boys) playing fields and practice facilities etc. I am not only talking basketball, but softball and soccer too. If Mason Co. hadn't won 6 or 7 district titles in a row, but knocked out of distict in the first round a few times then I think the admiistration would have been forced by the parents, fans, and success of the boys program to step it up a notch.

I have never been a fan of seeding, love blind draws because sometimes an underdog may make it to the regional tournament. I would like to see the KHSAA either make all districts seed or blind draw. Make it one way across the board, this evens the playing field somewhat, one rule or method for everyone. The original point of this thread was to see if Mason Co. was or had been moved that the competion from Clark and Montgomery would have made the administration more aware of defisencies in their girls athletic teams and would have forced them to make changes sooner than later or not at all. Competeing against these schools and their facilities might have caused pressure to become proactive toward needed coaching changes, off-season conditioning, scheduling at the middle school level, adding sports(volleyball-girls, wrestling-boys) playing fields and practice facilities etc. I am not only talking basketball, but softball and soccer too. If Mason Co. hadn't won 6 or 7 district titles in a row, but knocked out of distict in the first round a few times then I think the admiistration would have been forced by the parents, fans, and success of the boys program to step it up a notch.

 

It was my understanding that Mason County was going to add volleyball a couple of years ago, but it never happened. I think nearly every other school in the region offers volleyball.

 

Regarding wrestling; I think the nearest (geographically) schools to Mason County that have a program are Harrison County and Campbell County. My high school letter was in wrestling and pretty much all schools where I grew up had a wrestling program; but it's a harder sell in basketball country.

Here is what I was thinking:

 

37th-Bishop Brossart, Scott, Silver Grove, Calvary Christian

38th-Pendleton, Harrison, Nicholas, Campbell

39th-Augusta, Bracken, Deming, St. Pat

40th-Montgomery, Mason, GRC, Paris, Bourbon County

Here is what I was thinking:

 

37th-Bishop Brossart, Scott, Silver Grove, Calvary Christian

38th-Pendleton, Harrison, Nicholas, Campbell

39th-Augusta, Bracken, Deming, St. Pat

40th-Montgomery, Mason, GRC, Paris, Bourbon County

 

St. Pat and Mason County in different districts? I have a hard time seeing that.

 

Mason County just happens to be a relatively large school (although just barely over half the size of Campbell, Montgomery and Clark) surrounded by small schools.

 

I for one would love to see Fleming County back in the 10th Region; and in the 39th district.

It was my understanding that Mason County was going to add volleyball a couple of years ago, but it never happened. I think nearly every other school in the region offers volleyball.

 

 

 

Did you see the picture in the Ledger Independent, the other day? They are having an organizational season. The softball coach is handling it.

 

As to your other comment, it is hard to imagine St. Patrick and Mason being in different districts, logistically.:confused:

St. Pat and Mason County in different districts? I have a hard time seeing that.

 

Mason County just happens to be a relatively large school (although just barely over half the size of Campbell, Montgomery and Clark) surrounded by small schools.

 

I for one would love to see Fleming County back in the 10th Region; and in the 39th district.

 

Augusta and Bracken were in separate districts for several years. Augusta in the 39th Bracken in the 38th.

Augusta and Bracken were in separate districts for several years. Augusta in the 39th Bracken in the 38th.

 

Maybe you or someone else can help out here, wasn't there a time when the 39th District had 6 schools in it, back in the 70's. Mason Co., Maysville, St. Patrick, Tollesboro, Fleming Co. and ??? (Augusta or Deming or Lewis Co.). This may have been before girls sports started in 75-76. Maysville and Tollesboro and MMI closing and Fleming Co. and Bath Co. being moved some years ago have hurt the Districts and Region, but you can't do anything about schools having to close, just a part of life.

Maybe you or someone else can help out here, wasn't there a time when the 39th District had 6 schools in it, back in the 70's. Mason Co., Maysville, St. Patrick, Tollesboro, Fleming Co. and ??? (Augusta or Deming or Lewis Co.). This may have been before girls sports started in 75-76. Maysville and Tollesboro and MMI closing and Fleming Co. and Bath Co. being moved some years ago have hurt the Districts and Region, but you can't do anything about schools having to close, just a part of life.

 

Might have been Augusta, but it wasn't Lewis County. LC was in the 16th, I believe; Herron Hill was the "unofficial" dividing line.

If it was left up to me, I would bring Estill, Bath and Fleming back to the 10th and divide the Northern Kentucky Schools among the 8th and 9th Region and then bring in Sayre and take them away from the bigger schools in their 11th Region district!

 

37th - Paris, Bourbon County, Sayre, Nicholas County

 

38th - Pendleton County, Deming, Harrison County, Fleming County

 

39th - Mason County, St. Patrick, Augusta, Bracken County

 

40th - Montgomery County, Clark County, Bath County, Estill County

I thought Mason County played in out of town tournaments against teams like Lexington Catholic during the season. I believe that is just as tough or tougher than playing Montgomery and Clark two times a year. The Mason girls basketball team had several good years and should have won a couple of region titles but it just didn't happen. You should be proud of their accomplishments instead of wondering what if. Every team has its down years. Remember, athletics comes second to a good education. Its not just about winning a trophy.

Some years the Region is weak and moving Mason would have made the Girls Regional Tourney the Montgomery Co Invitational. Yes, they won but Mason tok them to the limit and made it an exciting Regional tournament.